Rollover Truck Accidents

Rollover Truck Accidents

A truck rollover is the kind of horrific accident that shocks anyone who witnesses it firsthand. Even watching a traffic surveillance replay demonstrates the destructive force that happens when a semi-rig loses control and flips over.

A recent accident in the Las Vegas valley on I-15 involved a semi tractor-trailer and a sedan. The sedan was stationary on the highway when the truck came up and didn’t have the proper braking distance. The result was the truck slamming into the car and rolling over. The truck driver escaped with minor injuries.

Unfortunately, the driver of the sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. This accident demonstrates how dangerous rollover truck accidents can be.

What Causes Big Truck Rollovers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency that regulates the trucking industry. They conducted a significant study analyzing large truck rollover crashes. In their review of over 200 truck rollovers, they found that driver error was the leading cause of the accidents.

Within those errors, there are some specific categories, such as the following:

Speeding

In the FMCSA’s study, they found that speed was a factor in over 35% of crashes. When a truck driver speeds, they can quickly lose control when entering or driving around curves. If they don’t make adjustments to account for the additional weight of their cargo, it reduces the truck’s stability. Additionally, speeding reduces the braking distance, which can lead to significant rear-end crashes.

Distracted Driving

The FMCSA study found that, after speeding, inattentive driving is the second-leading cause of truck rollover accidents. If a driver is not paying attention to the road ahead, they risk making sharp maneuvers that can force them to lose control of the rig.

Here are the most common types of driving distractions for truck drivers:

  • Texting
  • Smoking
  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Making dashboard adjustments
  • Talking on the phone

Bad Driving

A driver who lacks experience might find themselves challenged when facing bad weather or road hazards. What does bad driving look like? It can include the following:

  • Poor steering, such as oversteering and understeering
  • Overcorrecting for an error that results in swerving into other lanes of traffic
  • Following other vehicles too closely
  • A poor or inadequate reaction to other drivers on the road or hazards
  • Not downshifting to decrease speed
  • Improper braking

Poor Pre-Operation Checks

A truck driver is responsible for checking their rig before any trip. This does not mean they need to conduct a full tune-up. However, there are some specific things that need to be reviewed to ensure their rig will be up to the challenges of the driver. This includes:

  • Brakes
  • Lights
  • Cargo securement
  • Locked cargo doors
  • Any couplings
  • Tire pressure
  • Engine fluid levels

These are all the factors that need to be thoroughly investigated by an experienced legal team in order to establish liability.

When a Truck Rollover Accident Claim Is Denied or Delayed

Insurance companies provide online access to file a claim, but that doesn’t always translate into an expedited process. You could face a situation where the truck driver attempts to blame you for the rollover accident. Their insurance company would like nothing better than to side with their policyholder and deny the claim. When you file a claim, the insurance carrier is obligated to conduct a thorough investigation. Failure to do so can constitute evidence of bad faith.

The Law Office of Mathew L. Sharp has worked extensively as an insurance bad faith attorney. In that capacity, we have challenged many assertions made by an insurance company and have prevailed. They want you to think a denial is the end of the claims process, but often it is just the beginning. In extreme cases, a bad-faith insurance claim can lead to civil litigation.

We’re fully prepared to represent our clients in a civil lawsuit. These are the options we can discuss in your first case review. Call to set up that chat today, and let’s find out what the next move should be for your truck accident claim.